One benefit to using hard money, at least until you get your feet wet, is that you’ll get an experienced set of eyes on your deals.

In any case, it is important to work with professionals that invest themselves, as there is a lot more to real estate investing than meets the eye. 

If I could get a lesser loan, and thus reduce the minimum to $100 a month, would this for sure help, in the eyes of the Lender especially ?

Make a list of your strengths and weaknesses... be brutally honest with yourself.Get on every wholesalers list you can.Get plugged in to your local real estate investment club.Read Bigger Pockets till your eyes bleed, Try to figure out what ONE or TWO methods of investment will work best based on your strengths.

Hello Craig,I'm new to business but this post was very eye opening and helpful.

Looks great - just that small amount of "fancy" backsplash tile puts a little eye candy in there.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but claiming a master piece is created from a paint by numbers set isn't going to hold much value.  

There is risk in that I've said that I'l make sure the mortgage gets paid but the reward is worth it in my eyes.

Talk about 'sticking out like a sore thumb' - I was blonde, with blue eyes and a red convertible in an all black low-income neighborhood.

Finally, protect your eyes with good googles that wrap around your temples and were a good dusk mask.